Today the court postponed ruling on a case calling for the dissolution of the Muslim Brotherhood as an entity. It will be reviewed again on September 4, at which point the group may be declared illegal and forced to disband.
The following is an effort to understand the structure of the Muslim...

The fatwá is commonly known in the West as a death sentence. Among Muslims, the fatwá can be among the most powerful tools of Islamic populism. On a third front, the fatwá is simply a bureaucratic function. Which definition encompasses reality?

This article was originally posted on Christianity Today, May 29, 2012.
Despite the best efforts of Christian and Muslim revolutionaries, the first free presidential election in Egypt's history has resulted in an all-too-familiar choice: old regime vs. Islamists.
The nation's Supreme Presidential...

‘We came here today to satisfy our soul for its need of beauty.’ With these words Azhar Sheikh Muhammad Jamī’ addressed the crowd at the Caravan Festival of Arts, hosted by St. John the Baptist Church in Maadi, Egypt.

Which images and stories are to be trusted? Copts and Muslims being united in Tahrīr Square in January and February 2011? Coptic Orthodox Priest Father Yu’annis and Salafī Shaykh Hamdī cooperating in the Upper Egyptian village of Qufādah or those of October 9, 2011, with raging armored vehicles,...

Coptic Orthodox Pope Shenouda III is often praised, in particular by his own followers, for his ecumenical stances. The reality is, however, somewhat different, as the decisions of the Coptic Orthodox Holy Synod show. All synod meetings were presided over by Pope Shenouda, a strong and charismatic...

Pope Shenouda, the controversial yet beloved head of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt, passed away on Saturday after 40 years of leading and reforming the ancient Christian communion. His death complicates the uncertain position of Orthodox believers—who represent 90 percent of Egyptian...

The atmosphere at Pope Shenouda’s farewell today was not what I expected. At first it was dull, and then sympathetically chaotic. Entrance to the church itself could only be secured with a personal invitation, so I made my way early to courtyard of the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral to witness the...

In recent weeks the Muslim Brotherhood has been engaged in public squabbles with the military council over formation of the government. According to most interpretations of the constitutional declaration which guides the transition in Egypt, the presidency – here the military council – has the...